FAREWELL TO T.B. WHITTON ESO., M.D.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 January 1903, Page 3

FAREWELL TO T.B. WHITTON ESO., M.D.

A large number of leading rasidents of Keefton met at Stevenson's Hotel yesterday evening (says the Herald) to bid farewell to Ue Whitton, who leaves with Mrs Whitton and family for Now Plymouth this morning, his fdture residence.

Mr Free presided, and having asked all to fill their glasses, proceeded to give the toast of "Oar Guest." Mr Free said that all present were fully aware of the object of their gathering together. It was to take farewell of a valued and tried friend in the person of Dr Whitton. He was aa old resident of some eighteen years' standicg during time he had givßn inestimFable services as medical superintendent of Beefton Hospital, and as medical officer to the three branches of the Friendly Societies, his services had been warmly recognised. Addresses express, ing high appreciation of Dr. Whitton's services ha'i bnen presented bv the Trustees of the Hospital and the various Lodges, but there were many outside these bodies, and who were present that evening; in addition to many who were unavoidably absent, who were desirous of testifying their regard for Dr. Whitton. The services which he had rendered to them when they o.' their families were affilicted could never be forgotten; and both as physician and friend he would be ever remembered with grati-

tude. Then, again, as a citizen, Dr Whitton's public spirit had been always to the fore in connection with every movement tending to the public welfare. At Her late Majesty's Jubilee, and again at the Coronation festival, their guest had proved the life and soul of those celebrations, and needless to say his familiar, kindly, and Jhonored presence will long remain in their memories. In conclusion Mr Free presented Dr Whitton with a Kctberam gold watch bearing a suitable inscription as a memonto of their appreciation and good will, and asked Dr. Whitton's acceptance of a present for Mrs Whitton. The toast of Dr Whitton and [wife and family was then proposed, and drunk with musical honors. Dr Whitton, in acknowledging the toast said:—'This is the second occasion on which I have had the satisfac;ion of receiving expressions of sympathy and goodwill from those among whom I have Sved sufficiently long to have formed valuable friendships. On a previous occasion, on leaving Central Otago, where I had practised nine years, during eight of which years I was a bachelor, the inhabitants were kind enough to express their satisfaction with the professional and private discharge of mv duties as a medical man and citizen, and to wish me every meaause of prosperity in the future. Now, after eighteen years amongst you, ] and on the eve of my departure, lam again receiving a most Igratifyirjg assur- I ance of you confidence and esteem, I which I highly value. In referring io my connection with the Friendly Societies I assure you that it was always my aim in the exercise of my profession to give each of the members calling for my services attention at least equal to that given to any private patient. I heartily thank you for the kindly Eentimsnts expressed towards me and mine. I leave you with regret, but circumstances, chiefly of a domettic character, and above all a desire to secure for my children the advantages of a higher education than could be commanded here, and other reasons, made me decide to make a change, and a decision once arrived at regre's arc necessarily cast on one side. At the same time I shall treasure a warm recollection of your kindness. Dr Whitton then referred to the Taranaki district, his new homeland the lung Country, predicting for it a great future, and hoping to sea many old friends settling in what was certain to prove a wonderfully prosperous district. In conclusion he thanked them for their gift, which would remain with him a treasured momento to tho la-t and also for their present to Mrs Whitton. The gaest then sa' down amidst prolonged applause.